Gastritis, or the inflammation of the stomach lining, is a condition that can be acute (occurs suddenly and lasts for a short time) or chronic (develops slowly and is long lasting). This condition occurs when the protective layer of mucus in the stomach breaks down, and gastritis can be erosive (the stomach lining wears away, causing ulcers) or non-erosive (inflammation without erosion). [Read more…]

Indigestion, also called dyspepsia, is a term that is used to describe discomfort and pain in the upper abdomen that can include symptoms like:

Feeling full

Bloating

Nausea

Burning sensation in the stomach

Growling stomach

Indigestion is a common enough condition that most people ignore it or take over-the-counter medications like antacids to relieve symptoms. Indigestion can be a condition in and of itself or a symptom of a larger problem. [Read more…]

Acid reflux, which is also commonly known as heartburn, or acid indigestion, occurs when some of the acid content in your stomach flows upward into esophagus — causing feelings of burning and chest pain. If you experience acid reflux more frequently than twice per week, you may be suffering from gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD.

Normally, a ring of muscle at the entrance of your stomach known as the lower esophageal sphincter (LES) prevents any stomach acid from entering your esophagus by acting as a valve that closes the entrance to your stomach. But when your health is compromised by one or more risk factors, sometimes your LES will fail to close or open up when it shouldn’t — often resulting in acid reflux. [Read more…]